---

Wood Furniture

• Remember that wood is a natural material that is susceptible to climate and the elements, such as humidity.
• Sunlight may slightly darken your wood furniture.
• The care of wood furniture varies according to the wood type, finish and function of the piece. Consult your sales associate for more specific care guidelines.
• Dust with a dry, soft cloth.
• Never use harsh chemicals or abrasives on any finish.
• Always use coasters and keep heat from direct contact with your wood surfaces.
• Use felt pads on any surface that comes in direct contact with the wood. Avoid certain materials, like rubber, which might react with your finish.

Back To Top

---

Ash - A hard, durable, lightweight wood with light to medium natural color and an active, interesting grain pattern.

Beech - A durable, medium hardwood with light, nondescript grain patterns; ideal for stained and painted finishes.

Burl - The wood cut from an overgrown knot or outgrowth, often used decoratively in veneer.

Cabriole Leg - A bowed leg that curves into a tapered foot.

Cherry - A durable hardwood with a characteristic warm, rich reddish color assumed with time and exposure to light.

Coigue - A Chilean hardwood, often used as a veneer, with a hardness, natural color and grain similar to American Cherry. Coigue, from the same family as the Fireland or Chilean Cherry, is grown in the cold mountainous regions of Patagonia in sustainable forests responsibly managed by the Chilean government.

Eucalyptus Wood - A fast-growing and easily replenishable hardwood. The eucalyptus wood we feature in the Arbor outdoor collection is plantation-grown and certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.

FSC - The Forest Stewardship Council is a non-profit organization that encourages responsible management of the world’s forest. FSC sets high standards that ensure forestry is practiced in an environmentally responsible, socially beneficial, and economically viable way.

Fireland Cherry - A Chilean hardwood, also known as Chilean Cherry, with a hardness, natural color and grain that is similar to American Cherry. It is grown in the cold mountain regions of Patagonia in sustainable forests responsibly managed by the Chilean government.

Grain - The direction or pattern of the fibrous tissue in wood.

Hardwoods - Wood derived from deciduous trees; includes oak, maple, ash, walnut, rosewood, birch and teak.

Knot - The point at which a stem or branch grows from a tree that results in a round, often darker feature in the grain of the wood.

Laminate - A product made by bonding layers of wood or other material to a wood substrate.

Mahogany - A tropical wood that rarely warps and is reddish in color, with a handsome grain.

Maple - A hard, heavy, finely grained wood with a light, natural color.

MDF - A panel product, widely used as a substitute for plywood, particleboard and solid lumber; manufactured in a process where wood fibers, resin and wax is compressed under high pressure to form a panel.

Particle Board - A structural material made of wood fragments, such as chips or shavings, that are mechanically pressed into sheet form and bonded together with resin.

Pine - A soft, durable wood that is light in color with a straight, medium coarse grain; ideal for distressed and rustic, decorative finishes.

Plantation grown - Rare woods that are ecologically grown with the specific intent of being milled.

Plywood - A structural material made of layers of wood glued together, usually with the grains of adjoining layers at right angles to each other.

Quartersawn - A wood cutting technique that exposes the most grain and produces the richest figuring.

Recycled/Reclaimed - Wood that is reused from old buildings; features natural distressing and a time-worn patina.

Ropy Cherry - A type of cherry wood veneer that displays a flowing ribbon like quality in appearance.

Sheesham wood - A member of the rosewood family found in India.

Softwoods - Wood derived from coniferous trees; softer in density than hardwoods.

Teak - An extremely dense, durable tropical hardwood, ideal for outdoor applications; if left unfinished, will weather to a dull gray.

Tulip Wood - A hardwood also known as "yellow poplar"; Its light color and inconspicuous grain make it ideal for painted furniture.

Veneer - An overlay of a thin layer of wood often used to finish or decorate a piece of furniture.

Wenge - Wenge refers to both the extremely dark wenge wood, and to the dark chocolate brown wood stain that gives the impression of wenge wood. It primarily appears as a dramatic accent in modern, minimal furnishings, and is most often used in exposed upholstery frames, tables and casegoods.

---

Wood Construction

Breadboard Ends - A board placed at the end of the lengthwise boards with the grain and orientation at a right angle to cover the end grain and pegged on to control wood movement.

Butt - A basic joint formed by butting one piece of wood up to another, which is typically reinforced with dowels or cornerblocks.

Classic Chinese Joinery - Traditional, solid wood furniture construction methods that do not involve the use of nails or screws. These centuries-old techniques include tongue and groove joints as well as mortise and tenon.

Dado - A joint formed by inserting the end of one board into the cut side of another; typically used for shelves and cabinet dividers.

Dovetail - A decorative, durable joint formed by interlocking wedges; typically used on drawer fronts.

Engineered Wood Construction - Any non solid wood product, such as MDF, plywood or particle board.

Finger - A joint formed by cutting small fingers into corresponding pieces of wood and interlocking them; often used as a decorative or durable drawer joint.

Lap - A joint formed by cutting the end of one board to lay flush on the lap of another cut piece; commonly used in frame construction.

Miter - A 45 degree angle joint used to conceal end grain; most often used in frames and tabletops.

Mortise and Tenon - A strong joint formed between one protrusion and one routed cavity; typically used with table legs or chairs.

Peg Detailing - Traditional wood working method of joining two pieces of wood together with a square peg hammered into a round hole.

Solid Wood Construction - Product made of wood hewn directly from cut or recycled trees.

---

Wood Finishes

Bleaching - A method of lightening the overall color of the wood.

Distressing - Using various tools to create the scratches, dents and wear that is characteristic of aged wood.

Lacquer - A clear, hard, durable finish that is heat resistant and comparable to varnish in strength.

Penetrating Oil - A "renewable" finish used to enhance the richness and beauty of the wood grain. With time and repeated application, oil finishes can harden the wood to form a durable protective topcoat.

Polyurethane - A clear plastic coating that is highly resistant to abrasion and wear; can be used on all types of wood surfaces.

Stain - A natural or synthetic chemical used to color and highlight wood grain; can be water, oil or spirit-based.

Varnish - Enamel with added pigment that results in a colored, opaque finish that is hard, durable and waterproof.

Wash - A light, diluted coat of paint.

Wax - A "renewable" finish added to wood to protect and enhance the natural appearance; can be used on bare or stained wood.

Wenge - Wenge refers to both the extremely dark wenge wood, and to the dark chocolate brown wood stain that gives the impression of wenge wood. It primarily appears as a dramatic accent in modern, minimal furnishings, and is most often used in exposed upholstery frames, tables and casegoods.

Back To Top